MAUPIN, Wasco County, Ore., Oct. 16, 2026 — A Portland woman died, and her passenger was seriously hurt on Wednesday afternoon, October 14, when their car collided with a semi-truck on Hwy 97 near the Cow Canyon Rest Area in Wasco County. The Oregon State Police said troopers responded to the crash around 1:18 p.m. near milepost 69.
A preliminary investigation found that a semi-truck pulling a 53-foot box trailer was headed south on Hwy 97 when a silver Toyota Venza pulled in front of it while attempting a left turn, according to OSP. The truck struck the Toyota and pushed it over an embankment. Both vehicles came to rest off the east shoulder of the highway.
The Toyota's driver, identified by OSP as 75-year-old Mary Elizabeth Auch Hankins of Portland, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger, 80-year-old Richard Thomas Hankins, also of Portland, suffered serious injuries and was flown by Life Flight to an area hospital. His condition has not been released.
The truck driver, a 32-year-old man from Yuba City, California, was not hurt. He stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators. The crash did not close the highway, OSP reported.
The Wasco County Sheriff's Office, Jefferson County Fire and EMS, and the Oregon Department of Transportation assisted at the scene. OSP released details of the crash Friday, two days after it happened, and the investigation remains open.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the person who died.
More on Crashes in Maupin, OR
This fatal crash happened on Hwy 97 in Maupin, OR. We cover crashes across Wasco County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Wasco County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors make a crash more likely to be fatal? Speed, vehicle size mismatch, and the angle of impact all play a role. A collision between a passenger car and a loaded semi-truck tends to carry more risk for the smaller vehicle's occupants, especially in a side or turning impact.
How does speed affect whether people survive a crash? Higher speed means more force has to be absorbed in a shorter distance. Even a modest increase in speed can turn a survivable crash into a fatal one, particularly on highways with higher posted limits.
Why does seat belt use matter so much? A seat belt keeps an occupant in position during a crash and reduces the chance of being thrown into the dashboard, windshield, or out of the vehicle entirely. It also lets the vehicle's other safety systems work as intended.
What should families do after a fatal crash? Contact the investigating agency for updates, request a copy of the official crash report once it's available, and consider reaching out to a victim's advocate or counselor for support during the process.
What to Do After a Highway Crash in Maupin, OR
If you're involved in a crash on a rural highway like Hwy 97, move to a safe location if possible and call 911 right away. Stay as still as you can until paramedics check you over, since some injuries, especially internal ones, don't show symptoms right away. Even if you feel fine, a medical evaluation is worth getting on record.
Get the names and badge numbers of responding officers, and ask how to request the official crash report once it's finished. If you were a passenger or witness, write down what you remember as soon as you're able, since details fade fast. For families dealing with a loss on the road, leaning on local support services and giving yourself time to process the shock is just as important as handling the practical steps.
